Ms. Bethany Nicole Gibson Berends

Nov. 14, 1985 - Sept. 20, 2007

Age: 21

Residence: Greeley

Tribute: Bethany Nicole Gibson-Berends was born to Laura D. (Gibson) Berends, and stepfather Robert L. Berends in Denver. She moved to Greeley in 1990. Miss Gibson-Berends attended Christa McAuliffe Elementary, Franklin Middle School and Heath Jr. High School. She also attended Dayspring Christian School and graduated from Northridge High School in 2004. Miss Gibson-Berends began dancing at the Dance Factory in 1993 and danced for 10 years. She loved spending time at the lake in Guernsey, Wyo., boating, water skiing and wakeboarding. She had an intense passion in everything she did. Miss Gibson-Berends had a huge heart and love of animals and people. She lived life to it's fullest, and probably lived more in 21 short years than some of us do in our entire lifetime. She would help anyone and give you all her love and friendship. As the relationship was special and very close with her mother, and grandparents in Florida who also help raise her to be the wonderful young woman she became to be. She did volunteer work for the American Cancer Society and helped with the annual Cattle Baron's Ball. She adored animals and adventure. Miss Gibson-Berends was attending Cambridge College in Denver, majoring in medical technology with an emphasis in radiology, and was due to graduate in 7 months, with a job already lined up to start a career she was very much looking forward to. She was a mentor, and best friend to her younger sister, Maggie. They had a special bond that meant so much to each of them. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Miss Gibson-Berends died in Severance.

Survivors: Her mother Laura (Gibson) Berends, and stepfather Robert Berends of Greeley; a sister, Margaret "Maggie" Emily Rose Berends of Greeley; grandparents, Charlie and Marilyn Gibson of Florida and Evelyn Berends of Iowa; great-grandmother, Colene Watson of Hamilton,

Missouri; aunts and uncles, Dave and Linell Gibson of Olathe, Ks. Jim Berends of Iowa, Judy Workman of Iowa, Susan Berends of Iowa, and great and and uncle Cheryl and Paul Kavanaugh of Hamilton, Mo. and their entire extended family of daughters and children whom she grew up with. As well as cousins Kate and Jessica Gibson of Olathe, Ks whom she grew up with and was very close with.

Preceded in death by: Her grandfather, Lewis Berends; great-grandfathers, Lewis Ray Gibson and O. J. Watson; and great-grandmother, Mary E. Gibson.

Services: 2 p.m. today at Greeley Wesleyan Church.

Inurnment: Cremation.

Note: Contributions may be made to the Margaret "Maggie" Berends Scholarship Fund, in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley, CO 80634.